Hobbies And Interests
Graphics Engine and Game Modes
FIFA 98 was the second game in the series with 3D graphics, the first being FIFA 97. This version of the game was available for the PC and the 32-bit consoles, Nintendo 64, Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn. Players could play a one-off friendly game, start off a league campaign, take some penalty kicks and even play an indoor five-a-side match. As well as being the name of the game, the "Road to the World Cup" was also a feature in FIFA 98. Starting at the qualification stage, you would attempt to take one national team to the World Cup finals in France and the march on to claim the famous trophy.
Real Players and Teams
When FIFA 98 was first released, it was in battle with another soccer title, International Superstar Soccer (ISS) 64. FIFA and ISS, now called Pro Evolution Soccer, have been fierce rivals for years and until recently Pro Evolution Soccer was heralded with the superior gameplay. FIFA countered this with a huge amount of licenses, thus featuring real-life stadiums and teams filled with real soccer players. FIFA 98 was where this trademark of the series first began, featuring 6,400 actual soccer players, 360 soccer clubs and 172 national teams.
Features
Editor mode was a brand new feature for the FIFA series. You could alter teams, kits and players, as well as transfer team members from one club to another. Players could even add a brand new player and create a video-game version of themselves and place him in their favorite team, complete with the captain's armband. Tactics were also revamped for the game; each player now had an attack level, meaning that some teammates would wait at the top of the field for the ball to reach them whereas others would rush back to defend. Substitution was also possible at any time during the match. Commentary was provided by Andy Gray and John Motson, famous voices in English soccer. If soccer on a fine summer's day had become dull, FIFA 98 had options for rain, snow, sleet and night-time games.
FIFA in 2D
The game was also available in a 2D version for the less powerful consoles: the Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis and the Game Boy. There was no commentary in these games. Difficulty differed only by the level of the team you were playing; there was no option to alter this setting. So if you wanted an easy match you would take on Algeria, whereas Argentina would provide a real challenge. However many features of the 3D game transferred to the 2D version, including extensive licensing, editor mode and advanced tactics.
Box Art
The box art was different depending on the country the game was sold in. The American version featured former United States soccer forward Roy Lassiter. A 22-year-old David Beckman appeared on the U.K cover and former France, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur winger David Ginola was the face of the French version.